As an infant Jesus Christ was consecrated in the temple, accompanied by prophetic utterances regarding his future ministry. His childhood was characterised by a growth in wisdom and grace and, in particular, a strong desire to learn of God his Father and to understand the Scriptures.
Jesus Christ was consecrated as an infant
Luke 2:22 See also Luke 2:23–24
And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
Indications of Jesus Christ's future ministry were revealed
Through the words of Simeon
Luke 2:30–32 See also Luke 2:25–29, Luke 2:34–35
For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
Through the words of Anna
Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The visit of the Magi
See also Matthew 2:1–12
The escape to Egypt
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
The return from Egypt
Matthew 2:19–20 See also Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:21
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”
Jesus Christ lives in Nazareth
Matthew 2:22–23 See also Luke 2:39
But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Jesus Christ grows up
And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
Jesus Christ visited the temple
He celebrates the Passover there
He stays behind in the temple
He displays his understanding of the Scriptures there
Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.
The obedience of Jesus Christ
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Mary and Joseph remember the sayings and events of Jesus Christ's childhood
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.